Internal strobe question

Hi all,
I'm new to u/w photography and this forum but have found a wealth of info here. I'm going to Belize in 3 weeks
and have decided to purchase an Olympus C3000-series and PT 010 housing.
I understand the internal strobe creates backscatter, but don't understand how big a problem it is. Are all pics going to be showing it? Since dollars are limited, should I consider buying this combo and a lower cost strobe now, or a better camera now (say a 4000 series) and using the internal strobe until I can afford a good one....in six months to a year?
Any recommendations on strobes with these Olympus cameras? I don't ever intend to publish the pictures or anything...just record memories. Thanks
Steve

Whilst not wanting to advise what equipment you should buy (I keep adding to or changing my setup so I do not consider myself qualified to give that kind of advise) - I will say that my own experience with the PT10 and backscatter is that the diffuser on the PT10 is fabulous at "ignoring" backscatter. If its memories you want start without a strobe (and the learning curve) and if you want to upgrade in the future, fine but you will not need it with the PT10 to get "great" memories/shots.

My advice would be to start out with the camera and housing only. With your dive trip only 3 weeks out, you'll barely have time to get acquainted with the camera, let alone become proficient with the housing.

You don't state your location or where you regularly dive. If you dive somewhere with low vis all the time, then I would recommend getting a strobe. But probably for now, you can use the camera without external strobe and use the internal strobe when necessary.

For Belize, I suppose you will be just fine with just the internal strobe.

Buy the best camera you can afford now. What camera models are you thinking about besides the 4000? I think that the 4000 is one of the best choices available unless you want the 1.8 aperture for (land) portraiture.

Well it's quite good actually for someone with my experience level. I've always been quite comfortable in the water. Is this camera going to make a significant difference? And BTW where does everyone get the silica packs to put inside the housing?
Steve